Lie-Flat Seats in Business/First Class on Domestic Flights within the United States

Most domestic flights in Business/First Class within the US are operated by narrow-body aircraft, which typically feature standard reclining seats rather than true lie-flat seats. However, there are several important exceptions.

On select US routes, especially premium transcontinental services and high-demand hub-to-hub flights, airlines deploy wide-body aircraft or specially configured narrow-body jets with fully lie-flat business class seats. These flights offer an international-grade premium cabin experience on a domestic route and can deliver exceptional value, especially when booking with miles. For the most up-to-date cheap business class deals from or within the U.S., check our dedicated page.

For more context on US pricing trends, see our analysis on the cheapest and most expensive airports in the US for business class flights.

Is U.S. Domestic Lie-Flat Business Class Worth It?

Yes, and for several reasons:

  • Fully flat seats make medium-length domestic flights far more comfortable.
  • Enhanced service, including upgraded meals and premium amenities.
  • International-level premium cabins (e.g., American Flagship) on select domestic routes.
  • Excellent value when redeeming miles, often far cheaper than long-haul business class awards.

What’s the Difference Between Narrow-Body and Wide-Body Aircraft?

Narrow-body Aircraft

Single-aisle aircraft typically offer 2–6 seats across, such as the Airbus A320 family, Boeing 737 series, and Embraer regional jets. These aircraft almost always feature standard domestic first class rather than lie-flat seating.

However, there are a few exceptions, some narrow-body jets are specially configured with true lie-flat business class seats. These include JetBlue’s A321 Mint-configured aircraft, American Airlines’ premium A321T used on transcontinental routes, and certain Delta Boeing 757 and A321neo aircraft equipped with Delta One. These premium narrow-body configurations provide a long-haul–style experience even on domestic flights.

Wide-body Aircraft

Twin-aisle aircraft with 7 or more seats across, such as the Boeing 767, 777, and 787, as well as the Airbus A330, almost always feature true lie-flat seats in Business or First Class. When these wide-body aircraft appear on U.S. domestic routes, you can be fairly confident that the flight will offer a full lie-flat product, even on short or medium segments. While equipment swaps can happen, wide-bodies are the most reliable indicator that lie-flat seating will be available.

Quick Links: Airlines Operating Lie-Flat Seats on U.S. Domestic Routes

Overview: Lie-Flat Seats on Domestic Routes

Within the United States, lie-flat seats generally appear in three main situations.

The first category is the premium transcontinental market, where airlines operate enhanced products between major East and West Coast cities. Routes such as New York to Los Angeles or San Francisco, as well as Newark to Los Angeles, Boston to Los Angeles, Miami to Los Angeles, and even New York to Seattle, regularly feature aircraft with true lie-flat seats. These flights are typically operated by premium-configured narrow-body aircraft like the American Airlines A321T or Delta’s upgraded 757s and A321neos, though wide-body aircraft are also used on select frequencies.

A second source of lie-flat seats comes from domestic wide-body operations between major hub airports. Airlines sometimes schedule Boeing 767s, 777s, 787s or Airbus A330s on domestic segments during repositioning, crew rotations, or periods of high demand. As a result, flights such as Houston to Los Angeles may offer a full flat-bed business class even though they are entirely domestic. Availability varies, but these routes are often the most reliable for securing lie-flat seats across the United States.

A third category involves flights to and from Hawaii. Several mainland–Hawaii routes use long-haul configured aircraft, particularly on longer sectors where wide-bodies make operational sense. Depending on the airline and aircraft rotation, these flights may offer lie-flat business class seats similar to what you’d expect on international long-haul services.

How to Confirm If a U.S. Domestic Flight Has Lie-Flat Seats

Airlines frequently adjust aircraft on domestic routes, and flight numbers can change depending on the day of the week or seasonal schedules. Because of this, we do not list flight numbers in the overview below. The safest way to confirm whether your flight actually offers lie-flat seats is to check the aircraft type at the time of booking.

The two most reliable methods are:

  • Airline website during booking. When selecting flights, most airlines display the aircraft type (for example 777, 787, A330, A321T). Wide-body aircraft almost always guarantee lie-flat business class seats, and premium-configured narrow-bodies will be labeled accordingly.
  • Google Flights. Click on the flight details and look for the “lie-flat seat” label in the cabin description. Google also shows seat type, pitch, Wi-Fi availability, and power outlets, making it easy to verify whether the product is a true flat bed.

Checking these details before booking is the most reliable way to ensure that your U.S. domestic flight will offer a full lie-flat business or first class experience.

 

Airlines Offering Lie-Flat Seats in Business/First Class on U.S. Domestic Routes

Alaska Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines 

Alaska Airlines respectively Hawaiian Airlines operate lie-flat business class on selected mainland–Hawaii routes using mostly A330 aircraft.

  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Las Vegas (LAS) – operated by A330
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A330
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ New York (JFK) – operated by A330
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Phoenix (PHX) – operated by A330
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Portland (PDX) – operated by A330
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Sacramento (SMF) – operated by A330 
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ San Diego (SAN) – operated by A330 
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ San Francisco (SFO) – operated by A330 
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Seattle (SEA) – operated by A330 + B787
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A330
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Seattle (SEA) – operated by A330

American Airlines 

American operates lie-flat seats on the following routes. Typical aircraft include the A321T, A321neo, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787.

  • Big Island (KOA) ↔ Dallas (DFW) – operated by B787
  • Boston (BOS) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A321T starting August by A321neo
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Chicago (ORD) – operated by B787
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Dallas (DFW) – operated by B777 + B787
  • Miami (MIA) ↔ Dallas (DFW)  – operated by B787 + B777
  • Miami (MIA) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by B777
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Dallas (DFW) – operated by B787
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A321T + A321neo
  • New York (JFK) ↔ San Francisco (SFO) – operated by A321T
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Santa Ana (SNA) – operated by A321T

Delta Air Lines 

Delta offers lie-flat seats on the following routes. Typical using A330s, A350s, 767s, and premium-configured 757s.

  • Atlanta (ATL) ↔ Anchorage (ANC) – operated by B767 
  • Atlanta (ATL) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by B767 + A350
  • Atlanta (ATL) ↔ Santa Ana (SNA) – operated by B757 
  • Big Island (KOA) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by B767
  • Big Island (KOA) ↔ Salt Lake City (SLC) – operated by B767
  • Boston (BOS) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by B757
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Atlanta (ATL) – operated by A330
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Minneapolis (MSP) – operated by A330
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by B767
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Salt Lake City (SLC) – operated by B767
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Atlanta (ATL) – operated by A330
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by B767
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Salt Lake City (SLC) – operated by B767
  • New York (JFK) ↔ San Francisco (SFO) – operated by B757 + B767 + A330

JetBlue 

JetBlue Mint offers full lie-flat seats on following domestic routes using A320, A321neo aircraft equipped with Mint Suites or Mint Studio.

  • Boston (BOS) ↔ Aruba (AUA) – operated by A320
  • Boston (BOS) ↔ Bozeman (BZN) – operated by A320 (December–March)
  • Boston (BOS) ↔ Las Vegas (LAS) – operated by A320 
  • Boston (BOS) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A320
  • Boston (BOS) ↔ San Diego (SAN) – operated by A320
  • Boston (BOS) ↔ San Francisco (SFO) – operated by A320
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ↔ Las Vegas (LAS) – operated by A320
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A320
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ↔ Phoenix (PHX) – operated by A320
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ↔ San Francisco (SFO) – operated by A320
  • Miami (MIA) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Aruba (AUA) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Bozeman (BZN) – operated by A320 (December–March)
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Grenada (GND) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Phoenix (PHX) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Las Vegas (LAS) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ San Diego (SAN) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ San Francisco (SFO) – operated by A320
  • New York (JFK) ↔ St. Lucia (UVF) – operated by A320
  • Orlando (MCO) ↔ Las Vegas (LAS) – operated by A320
  • West Palm Beach (PBI) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by A321neo (October to April)

United Airlines 

United features lie-flat seats on the following routes, by Boeing 757,767, 777, and 787.

  • Big Island (KOA) ↔ Chicago (ORD) – operated by B787
  • Big Island (KOA) ↔ Denver (DEN) – operated by B777
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Chicago (ORD) – operated by B787
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Denver (DEN) – operated by B777
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Houston (IAH) – operated by B777 
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Los Angeles (LAX) – operated by B777
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ New York (EWR) – operated by B767
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ San Francisco (SFO) – operated by B777 
  • Honolulu (HNL) ↔ Washington DC (IAD) – operated by B767
  • Kauai (LIH) ↔ Denver (DEN) – operated by 757
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Chicago (ORD) – operated by B787
  • Maui (OGG) ↔ Denver (DEN) – operated by B777
  • San Juan (SJU) ↔ New York (EWR) – operated by B757 (not regularly)
  • San Francisco (SFO) ↔ San Juan (EWR) – operated by B767 
  • San Francisco (SFO) ↔ Washington DC (IAD) – operated by B757 +  B787
  • San Francisco (SFO) ↔ New York (EWR) – operated by B757 + B777 + B787

 

Important Notes

Aircraft swaps are relatively common on U.S. domestic routes, and lie-flat seats are never absolutely guaranteed, even when they appear during booking. For that reason, it’s always advisable to verify the aircraft type before confirming a reservation, especially on routes that alternate between narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. Award availability on premium transcontinental flights can also be surprisingly strong with certain frequent-flyer programs, making these routes an excellent use of miles. In general, wide-body aircraft tend to offer a superior onboard experience and often provide greater operational reliability compared to standard narrow-body jets.

Summary

Lie-flat seats on US domestic routes are more available than many travelers realize, primarily through premium transcontinental routes, wide-body rotations between major hubs, and premium-configured narrow-body aircraft like JetBlue Mint and the American Airlines A321T. These flights can offer outstanding value, especially for mileage redemptions, and deliver a long-haul–quality experience fully within the United States.

 

Let us know in the comments if you know any other routes that are operated by lie flat seats within the USA.

Note: All deals are personally verified and bookable directly with airlines or reputable travel partners. Prices and availability can change quickly, we never sell flights ourselves.

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business Class Deal Alerts
×
Note: Some ad-blockers (uBlock Origin, AdGuard, etc.) can block deal-alerts. If you subscribed but don’t receive alerts, try disabling your ad-blocker on premium-flights.com or add the site to the whitelist.

How to use the deal-alert function

Business Class Deal Alerts

Select your routes and price limit:

Depart from:

To destination:

Max Price:

2500